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Class of 2014 sets record with Senior Class Gift

The Class of 2014 should be proud — not only did they surpass their senior class gift fundraising goal, but they also met several milestones that will likely set lofty precedents for future classes.

The senior class gift committee raised $7,500 — more than double their initial proposal of $3,500 and well above the $5,000 goal President Thomas Gamble, Ph.D. counter-challenged them to raise. It’s enough to fund two on-campus projects, the first time a senior class has given more than one gift to the University.

In addition, this year’s graduating class of seniors set a new record for participation. While 55 percent of last year’s class contributed to the senior gift, this year’s seniors participated at a whopping 65 percent rate.

In recent years, students were given the option to donate all or part of their housing deposit refunds to the senior class gift. That was not an option this year, making the results even more impressive.

“I am so proud of all the seniors who donated,” said Jacob Griffin, fundraising and participation chair of the Senior Class Gift Committee. “I hope everyone remembers the feeling of giving back to their University. Everyone who donated should feel a great sense of accomplishment for breaking the participation record and for being the first class to have their gift completed before graduation.”

The first project, which is currently under way, involves redesigning a group study space on the second floor of Hammermill Library. Proposed by committee member and self-described “library nerd” Sarah Piasecki, the class gift will fund installation of new carpet, fresh paint and new furniture, as well as extra outlets for computers and a white board.

The second gift will fund a student “Spirit Section” at Tullio Field, with renovations beginning this summer. This space will be reserved for Lakers to sit together and cheer on their peers in a shared sense of school pride.

“Both of these gifts were a great way to leave something behind that everyone can use,” said Griffin. “One is academic and the other is athletic/social — there’s something that benefits everyone.”